Window-shade fixture and mounting.



1. KNOCH 81 A. R. NELSON. W|NDOW SHADE FIXTURE AND] mou'mme.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

I 1 'q i LL 1 l 5 WITNESSES: INVENTORs ZQE WW Arm-02am KNOCH & A. R. NELSON.

WINDOW SHADE FIXTURE AND MOUNTING.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 1, 1916.

Patented Aug. 14, 1917.

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INVENTORs .Zsacac Jdiza 07a Patented Aug. 14, 191?.

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([nion J?- i/leofl I BYC@%VMM APPLICATION FILED MAY 1, I916.

ISAAC KNOCI-I AND ANTON B. NELSON, OF SUSANVILLE, CALIFORNIA.

WINDOW-SHADE FIXTURE AND MOUNTING.

Application filed May 1, 1916.

To all whom, it may concern:

e it known that we, IsAAc KNoorI and ANTON R. NnLsoN, citizens of the United States, residing at Susanville, in the county of Lassen and State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in Window-Shade Fixtures and Mountings, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a shade fixture and mounting.

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved form of shade or ourtain roller and in conjunction with same a vertically adjustable mounting or support to permit a perfect control of light and ventilation.

Further objects will hereinafter appear.

he invention consists of the parts and the construction and combination of parts as hereinafter more fully described and claimed, having reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a front view of a window casing, showing the application of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation, partly in section, of one of the guide tracks in which the guide shoes, pulleys, ropes and counterweights are mounted.

Fig. 3 is a guide shoes.

Fig. 4c is a guide shoe.

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view showing the position of the guide pulleys and the perspective view of one of the perspective view of the other connection between the counterweights and the guide shoes.

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the curtain roller.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged central longitudinal section of one end of the curtain roller.

Fig. 8 is a cross section on line 88, Fig. 7. V

Fig. 9 is a Fi 7.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view partly broken away. showing one end of the curtain roller.

Referring to the drawings in detail, A indicates the sides of a window casing; 2 the upper end of the casing; 3 the sill; 4 the window shade or curtain and 5 and 6 a pair of guide tracks secured one to each side of the window casing. Each guide track is channel-shaped in cross section and the forward face of each track is provided with a slot '7 in which is mounted a guide shoe;

cross section on line 9-9,

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 14, 1917.. Serial No. 94,627.

The guide shoes are provided as a support for the roller generally indicated in Fig. 6. The construction of the roller, and the mounting of the guide shoes forms the most important features of the invention. The roller proper consists of two tubular sections 8 and 9, which are adapted to telescope one into the other, that is, the section 8 is provided with an extension 10 which is sufliciently small in exterior it to enter one end of the tubular section 9. This construction permits the length of the roller to be adjusted. The tubular sections 8 and 9 are channeled as indicated at 11, to provide a means for securing the curtain to the roller. This is accomplished by forming a double hem on the end of the cloth, which is slipped endwise into the channel and secured therein by means of a plurality of pins. This however, forms no part of the present invention and is therefore not shown nor described in detail. Secured in the outer end of the tubular section 8 is a wooden bearing 12 and secured at any convenient point within the tube is a second wooden bearing 13, which, together with the bearing 12, forms a support for a loosely mounted pin or shaft 14. The outer end of this pin is grooved as at 15 to permit it to become locked against endwise movement with relation to the guide shoe shown in Fig. 3. is accomplished by inserting the end of the 'pin through the upper enlarged slotted end 16 of the shoe, then forcing it down into the narrow portion of the slot. The pin thus becomes locked against endwise movement and cannot accidentally become disengaged with relation to the shoe. The roller as a whole, consisting of the tubular sections 8 and 9, revolves about the pin and a stationary shaft 16 projecting through one end of the tube 9 and having its end flattened as at 17 to lock it against turning movement when inserted in the shoe indicated in Fig. 4:. Secured interior of the tubular section 9 is a diameter to permit V This pair of wooden bearings 18 and 19 and inis a pair of ratchet wheels 24 and 25. These are positioned one on each side of the roller bearing 19 and are provided for the purpose of permitting the use of a double set of pawls 26 and 27 see Figs. 7 8 and 9. The pawls 26 are pivotally mounted on a metal plate 28, secured to one end of the wooden bearing 19 while the pawls 27 are secured to a metal plate 29, secured on the opposlte end of the bearing 19. Means is in this manner provided for locking the roller agamst revolving movement in either direction as Wlll hereinafter be described.

Mounted interior of the guide tracks 5 and 6 is a pair of counterweights, 30 and 31, there being one in each guide track. The counterweight 80 is secured by means of a rope 32 with the guide shoe shown in Fig. 4 and is also secured to the opposite guide shoe shown in Fig. 3 by means of a second rope 33. To permit this double arrangement of suspension, one pulley 34 is required with relation to rope 32 while two pulleys 35 and 36 are required with relation to rope 33. The opposite counterweight 31 is similarly connected with both of the guide shoes and a similar arrangement of pulleys 34, 35 and 36 is also necessary. By referring to Fig. 5 it will be seen that both guide shoes, supporting the window shade and roller, are connected to the two counterweights and it is therefore possible that one or more of the connecting ropes may break without affecting the horizontal. position of the curtain fixture as a whole. Suitably secured in the lower end of the curtain is a counterweight 38. This weight is in the form of a rod and is secured to the lower end of the curtain by folding and stitching the fabric around same. The operation of the curtain as a. whole, will be as follows:

If it is desired to move the curtain roller from the full line position shown in Fig. 1 to the dotted line position indicated at 40, it is only necessary to grasp the string 41, attached to the lower end ofthe curtain and pull it slowly in a downward direction. This slow pull on the curtain causes a. portion of the curtain to unreel from the roller and simultaneously causes the roller to slowly revolve. This permits one of the dogs 27 to engage with its cooperating ratchet and therefore locks the roller against further revolution. It 'is now possible by continuing to pull on the string 41 to lower the curtain roller as the force of the pull exerted on the string will cause the counterweights to rise while the roller and shoes will move in a downward direction with relation to the guide tracks. The weight of the roller curtain and the counterweight 38, together with the guide shoes supporting the roller, is such that they will counterbalance the weight exerted by the counterweights 30 and 31. It can therefore be seen that the roller and shoes will remain in any position intermediate of the top casing and the sill when released, and that it will be possible to lower or unreel the curtain from the roller by merely giving the string 41 a quick pull. The dogs 27 w'll then fail to lock the roller and the curtain will act in the usual manner, the dogs 26 serving the usual function of locking the roller against the tension of the rewinding spring. If it is desired to raise the curtain roller without rewinding the curtain, it is only necessary to grasp the lower end of weight 38. The moment this is lifted by hand it will be seen that the counterweights 30 and 31 will immediately overcome the weight of the curtain proper and connected roller and guide shoes. The counterweights will therefore descend as long as the counterweight 38 is lifted and it will therefore be possible to raise the curtain roller to assume any elevated position desired.

The sectional construction of the roller proper permits this to be lengthened or shortened to fit different width casings and the slidable mounting of the pin 14 with relation to the roller section 8 permits this to move in and out with relation to the roller if the sides of the window casings should happen to be warped or in other words, slightly expanded or. contracted at diiferent points. It can therefore be seen the curtain or the counterthat it is impossible to bind the roller at any point as the endwise movement of the pin 14 will move in and out with relation to the roller and positively'prevent any binding action. The double hanging of the counterweights necessitates a crossingof the ropes between the double set of guide-pulleys'35 and 36. It is therefore desirable'to inclose these ropes with a channel-shaped cover indicated at 50. This cover not only serves the function of inclosing these ropes but also serves as a means for securing the upper ends of the guide tracks 5 and 6 with relation to the sides of the window casing. The lower ends of the guide tracks or any intermediate points thereof may be secured to the casing by nails, screws or any other suitable means not here shown.

While the curtain roller proper is here shown as used in connection with a special mounting to permit the position of the roller to be adjusted vertically with relation, to the window opening,- it is obvious that the roller may be used in connection with ordinary brackets. The dogs 27 may in that instance be entirely eliminated or their position reversed by turning the TIQtCllGCl end 17 of the shaft 16 a half a revo lution. Tliedogs will thus be rendered in;- operable while the dogs 26 will serve their usual function of locking the roller against the tension Of the fe inding spring when the curtain is lowered or partly lowered. The wooden bearings employed throughout renders the roller noiseless when in operation and furthermore cheapens the construction considerable without lowering its efficiency or general utility. The novel mounting here provided for the roller proper permits this, together with the curtain, to be moved to any intermediate point with relation to the upper end of the casing and the window sill without the use of both hands and without providing exterior springs, ratchets or adjustments of any kind. The roller remains at any adjusted point when released and will always raise to its uppermost position when the counterweight 38 is lifted. The ends of the rewinding spring may be secured to the wooden sleeve and the hub extension on the bearing 18 in any suitable manner but pref erably by slightly expanding the spring over the ends-of same. A friction lock is thus secured which is not only efiicient but also cheap, when the question of manufacture is involved. The rewinding spring is constant in diameter throughout its length. This is of considerable importance, as the manufacturing of the spring constructed in this manner is reduced to a minimum cost because it can be made long and cut off in proper lengths. Another important feature is the mounting of the locking pawls 26 and 27, together with their cooperating ratchet disks.

By referring to Fig. 7, it will be seen that they are positioned on the opposite sides of the inner Wooden bearing 19. This not only places the pawls and ratchets in a position where they cannot be tampered with but also places the same in position wherethey become protected from dust and where their sound of operation is reduced to a mini mum.

The materials and finish of the several parts of the invention may be such as the judgment and experience of the manufacturer may dictate.

We wish it understood that various changes in form, proportions and minor details of construction may be resorted to within the scope of the appended claims and that I do not wish to limit myself to the specific design and construction here shown.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a window shade fixture and mounting, the combination with a window casing of a pair of guide tracks secured one on each side of the casing, a pair of guide shoes one on each track, a roller and window shade curtain supported by the shoes, a counterweight movable on one track connected with the guide shoe on the oppo site track, a second counterweight on said opposite track connected with the guide shoe on the first named track, and a counterweight attached to the curtain.

2. In a window shade fixture and mounting, the combination with a window casing of a pair of guide tracks secured one on each side of the casing, a pair of guide shoes one on each track, a roller and window shade curtain supported by the shoes, a counterweight guided and slidably mounted on each track, and a pair of ropes secured to each shoe, said ropes being in turn secured one to each counterweight.

3. In a window shade fixture and mounting, the combination with a window casing of a pair of guide tracks secured one on each side of the casing, a pair of guide shoes one on each track, a roller and window shade curtain supported by the shoes, a counterweight guided and slidably mounted on each track, and a pair of ropes secured to each shoe, said ropes being in turn secured one to each counterweight, guide pulleys for said ropes and a counterweight secured to the lower end of the curtain.

4. In a window shade fixture and mounting, the combination with a window casing of a pair of guide tracks secured one on each side of the casing, a curtain roller mounted transverse of the guide tracks and movable vertical with relation to same; a pair of counterweights slidable one on each guide track and a pair of cords attached to each counterweight, one of each cords being attached to the adjacent ends of the curtain roller and the other of each cords being attached to the opposite ends of the curtain roller.

5. In a window shade fixture and mounting, the combination with a window casing of a pair of guide tracks secured one on each side of the casing, a curtain roller mounted transverse of the guide tracks and movable vertical with relation to same; a pair of counterweights slidable one on each guide track and a pair of cords attached to each counterweight, one of each cords being at tached to the adjacent ends of the curtain roller and the other of each cords being attached to the opposite ends of the curtain roller and a counterweight carried by the curtain roller.

In a window shade fixture and mounting of the character described, the combination with a window casing of a pair of guide tracks secured one on each side of the casing, said guide tracks being hollow and rectangular in cross-section, and each provided with a vertically disposed slot in the front face; a guide shoe slidably mounted in each slot, said guide shoe consisting of a main plate adapted to engage the inner side of a channel track, an outwardly projecting lug formed on each end of the guide shoe,

adapted to engage the exterior face of the channel and a curtain roller positioned. transversely of the tracks supported by these shoes.

7 In an adjustable shade fixture, a curtain roller, means for movably mounting said roller so that it may be moved bodily up or down, means for maintaining the roller the position in which it may be left, means for automatically locking said roller against turning so that the roller may be lowered upon pulling downwardly on the curtain, said locking means being adapted to automatically unlock to permit the curtain to be raised and lowered in the ordinary way, and means for automatically raising the roller upon lifting upwardly the lower end of the curtain.

8. In an adjustable shade fixture, a curtain roller, means for mounting said roller so that it may be moved up or down, a weight in the lower end of the curtain, means for counter-balancing said roller and said weight so as to maintain the roller in theposition in which it may be left, means for automatically locking said roller against turning so that the roller may be lowered upon pulling downwardly on the curtain, said locking means being adapted to automatically unlock to permit the curtain to be raised and lowered in the ordinary way, and said counter-balancing means being adapted to raise said roller when the weight in the lower end of the curtain is lifted.

9. In an adjustable shade fixture, a curtain roller, a pair of guides, means for movably mounting said roller in said guides so that the roller may be moved up ordown, means for maintaining the roller in the position in which it may be left in said guides, means for automatically locking said roller against turning so that the roller may be lowered upon pulling downwardly on the curtain, said locking means being adapted to automatically unlock to permit the curtain to'be raised and lowered in the ordinary way, means for automatically raising the roller upon lifting upwardly the lower end of the curtain, and means to enable the roller to adjust its length automatically to the distance between the guides.

10. In a window shade fixture and mounting, a pair of guide tracks secured one on Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Washi'ngtonJ; (1.

each side of the casing, a shoe in each track,

a roller supporting a shade curtain supported by said shoes, counterweights connected with the roller having sufficient weight to overcome the weight of the curtain, roller and shoes, a counterweight secured to the curtain adapted to balance the excess weight of the first named counterweights to permit the roller and shoes to assume and remain at any point intermediate the top and bottom of the window casing, and means for automatically locking the roller against revolving when a slow pull is exerted on the curtain to permit the roller and curtain to be lowered to any point desired, said means also adapted to automatically unlock the roller when a quick pull is exerted to permit the curtain to be lowered by revolving the roller.

11. In an adjustable shade fixture, a curtain'roller, means for movably mounting said roller so that it may be moved bodily up or down, means for maintaining the roller in the position in which it may be left, means for automatically looking said roller against turning so that the roller may be lowered upon pulling downwardly on the curtain, said locking means being adapted to automatically unlock to permit the curtain to be raised and lowered in the ordinary way, said automatic locking and unlocking means comprising. a stationary shaft about which'the roller is adapted to revolve, when the curtain is raised or lowered, a disk secured upon said shaft having a notch formed therein, and a pawl pivotally mounted in the roller adapted to drop into the notch and lock the roller against revolving about the shaft when a slow pull is exerted on the curtain, thus perc 1 mitting the slow pull exerted to lower the roller-and curtain in unison, said pawl also adapted to jump the notch when a quick pull is exerted on the curtain "to permit the curtain to be lowered in the usual manner.

In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands in the presence of two subscribing witnesses. ISAAC KNOCI-I.

ANTON R. NELSON. Witnesses:

GROVER O. JULIAN, R. M. RANKIN.

Commissioner of Patents, 

